Zach's Birthday Weekend

We had such a great time in Cloudland Canyon State Park, camping and celebrating Zach's 29th birthday. In 10 years, we have never camped alone together. This year, for my birthday, Zach bought me a tent. So, now we have no excuse! This trip was lots of fun, except for the freezing rain on Sunday morning. Kharma loved being able to run around -- she loves to go on hikes!

Some highlights:

Kharma, enjoying her hike

Zach and me in front of the waterfall

The waterfall at the bottom of the canyon.

Our Saturday night campfire

I think we did pretty well for our first trip out. We didn't forget anything too important... except that I forgot to pack underwear! Ridiculous! Fortunately, I was able to wash the pair I brought in the shower room. Then I let them dry by the fire. I didn't do too badly "roughing it." And, surprisingly, I can't wait to go again!

Such a fun night!

I love, love, love my family. It is amazing to me how people come into our lives and they become family. Regardless of who your parents are or what your last name is, we are family.

We celebrated Zach's 29th birthday last night with M&M and the kids, Mom & Dad, and Billy & Mandy. My family. These people that make me feel good to be alive, where I know it is safe to be me, where I am at home.

I think the best way to sum all of it up is in pictures. Enjoy!

Zach and Andy playing on the Gameboy. Andy relishes this time with Zach -- in his eyes, the video game guru.

Mandy hangin' with Rachel... or, perhaps it's the other way around... I love that smile on Rachel's face!

Melissa and Kristina... enjoying some cake.

Mom, explaining something VERY important, I'm sure... she's recently lost like 30 pounds. She looks amazing!

Shannon chillin' on my lap. She's a total snuggle bug... sometimes to the point of being extremely annoying. But, being the doting aunt I am, I indulge.

It's too bad that Eddie wasn't there to join us. He was hanging with his other Grandma and his cousin last night. It's weird only having pictures of 4 of the 5 kids. Oh well... maybe next time.

The Moose

I just had to share this picture of Xerxes. Somehow, Zach and I started called him "Moosey" -- probably because, at the time, he was a total fat-ass! Most everyone else, including his favorite Aunt, calls him Xerxs (pronunced Zerks).

This is so typical of him -- the king on the arm of the couch... just chillin' on a Sunday morning.

The flowers are in bloom!

I can't believe that Spring is here! It is only the second weekend in March, and Spring has come to Atlanta FULL ON! Zach got some great pictures of our camellia and crocuses. The tulips are starting to sprout as well as the bearded iris. This is the first year that we've planted flowers. In the past it's just been bushes and vines. I'm so excited to have flowers adorning the front of my house!!


I can't wait for the iris and tulips! Wait, didn't I already say that? It's true! I'm soooo excited!

Back from NYC

I had such a great time in NYC!!! I was a bit worried about spending so much time with two of my co-workers -- we haven't always gotten along so well -- but it all seemed to work out!

I was up there for 7 days for a Teachers' College/Columbia University Mini-Institute on Reading Workshop. Esther paid for us to stay over the weekend so that we could visit a school on Monday. It was COLD! But we had fun, anyway.

Trip highlights:
1. Lucy Calkins' keynote on day one: I still squeak when I first see her.
2. Finally getting down to business with those coworkers -- and seeing that we all have the end in mind, we are just coming from different perspectives.
3. Getting the chance to see Lyn and the girls. I miss them!
4. Shopping on Canal Street -- I am the QUEEN of bargaining! I got my Coach-ish purse for only $20... already have had a bunch of comments on how cute it is.
5. Seeing The Lion King. Such fun! WOW! Sat in Row N on the aisle, so I felt like I was in the middle of the action. The guy who played Simba was one HOTTIE!
6. Hanging with Pam. She is the coolest 60 year old I know!
7. Subway riding. OY! It was great... and crowded... and fun... and crowded!
8. Lunch in Little Italy. 'Nuff Said.
9. Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum w/Tamika. SOOOO much fun!
10. The Empire State Building. Even though it was butt-ASS cold outside, we did go onto the Observation Deck. Amazing Views.
11. Tequila shots with the girls.
12. Coming home... warm weather, zach, my bed!

Some pictures:

Our Morning Stop and lunch in Little Italy

Madame Tussaud's

Lyn and me at the top of the Empire State Building...

and my really cute Coach-ish bag.

Did I mention that it was COLD???